Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...d6/3. d4/3...Nc6
Philidor Defence | |
---|---|
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) | |
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nc6 |
3...Nc6
editThis move is uncommon, as the pin 4. Bb5 is annoying, yet, White is only a little better.
Another popular choice for White is 4. dxe5, which is best met with 4...Nxe5 or 4...dxe5. Either way, Black will lose castling rights after Qxd8+.
Stockfish prefers 4. d5, which attacks the knight and forces it to move backwards.
Various transpositions are possible:
- 4. Nc3 transposes to the Three Knights Opening.
- 4. Bc4 transposes to the Semi-Italian Opening.
- 4. c3 transposes to the Ponziani Opening.